This ‘Nduja Orzo tastes luxurious enough to serve guests, but is easy enough to whip up on a weeknight!
This recipe is loaded with so much gorgeous flavour. It’s rich, spicy and best of all, it’s SO easy to make! Follow me…
Orzo with ‘Nduja
What is ‘Nduja?
‘Nduja – pronounced ‘en-doo-ya’ – is a spicy spreadable sausage from southern Italy. You can add it to a range of different dishes such as pizza, pasta, or various meats and seafood. Or just can slather straight on crackers or bread! Today, however, we’re turning it into an irresistible sauce for orzo.
The recipe itself is relatively simple and doesn’t require too many ingredients. The ‘Nduja offers a large amount of flavour, but it’s taken to new heights with some other goodies.
Flavour enhancers
- Shallots & Garlic – These add a base flavour. Both are fried in butter, of course.
- Tomato Puree – Aka Tomato Paste. This is necessary to add depth to the sauce.
- Herbs – I love pairing ‘Nduja with rosemary. I think sausage and rosemary in general is a glorious combination. I also love adding parsley too, just for an extra burst of fresh flavour and to garnish.
- Lemon Juice – This lifts the whole dish and helps cut through the richness of the sauce.
- Parmesan – I love stirring this through at the end for an extra punch of flavour.
To create the sauce, we’re going to use chicken stock and cream. I did test this recipe without cream, but it’s just so much better with cream. It mellows out the intense tangy/spicy flavour of the ‘Nduja and helps create a creamy, glossy sauce.
Cooking the orzo
Instead of cooking the orzo separately and then combining it with the sauce, we’re actually going to cook it in the sauce. Not only does this mean less washing up, but it also means the excess starch from the orzo will help create a glossy/creamy sauce. The orzo also soaks in all the delicious flavours of the sauce too.
Process shots: fry shallots in butter (photo 1), fry garlic and rosemary then tomato puree and ‘Nduja (photo 2), stir in orzo (photo 3), add stock, cream and lemon juice (photo 4), simmer and stir (photo 5), stir in parsley and parmesan (photo 6).
‘Nduja Orzo FAQ
Where can I find ‘Nduja?
You’ll find it in some supermarkets (I’ve seen it in Sainsbury’s and Waitrose), but most certainly in Italian grocers and online.
Is there anything I could substitute with?
Unfortunately, I’m yet to find anything close to the iconic taste and texture of ‘Nduja (leave suggestions in the comments if there is!)
How spicy is this dish?
‘Nduja will differ in spiciness from brand to brand, but this recipe shouldn’t be overbearingly spicy either way. Just a nice buzz!
How do I prevent the cream from curdling?Â
It’s important that you’re using double/heavy cream to prevent it curdling from the lemon juice. Also, try and make sure the stock isn’t piping hot and the cream is at room temp. Sometimes pouring fridge-cold cream into boiling stock causes it to curdle.
Serving ‘Nduja Orzo
I love finishing with some more parmesan and parsley, but this is completely optional. This dish is great as it is because it’s so rich and hearty, but you could also add some sliced chicken on top as I’ve done below!
For another ‘Nduja recipe check out my ‘Nduja & Pesto Potatoes!
Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this ‘Nduja orzo shall we?!
How to make ‘Nduja Orzo (Full Recipe & Video)
'Nduja Orzo
Equipment
- Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
- Large Deep Pan & Wooden Spoon
- Jug (for stock)
- Fine Cheese Grater
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 2 Shallots, finely diced
- 2 cloves of Garlic
- 2 tsp finely diced Fresh Rosemary
- 90g / 3oz 'Nduja (see notes)
- 45g / 1.5oz Tomato Puree (Tomato Paste in US)
- 1 litre / 4.25 cups Chicken Stock, plus more if needed
- 400g / 2 cups uncooked Orzo
- 120ml / 1/2 cup Double/Heavy Cream, at room temp
- 2 tsp Lemon Juice
- 40g / 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more to serve if desired
- 2 tbsp finely diced Fresh Parsley, save some to garnish
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large deep pan over medium heat melt the butter. Add the shallots and fry until soft and golden, then add the rosemary & garlic and fry for a minute longer. Add the 'Nduja & tomato puree and fry for a minute.
- Stir in the orzo then stir in the stock and cream. Stir in the lemon juice and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat slightly and allow everything to bubble away until the sauce thickens and the orzo is al dente, stirring fairly regularly. If the sauce dries out before the orzo has cooked, just stir in more stock a splash at a time. If you run out of stock just use boiling water.
- Stir in the parmesan and parsley until they blend with the sauce, then check for seasoning and adjust if needed. Serve with parsley and parmesan (if desired) then tuck in and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Your Private Notes:
Nutrition
Looking for more?
You’ll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook ‘Comfy’
For more similar recipes check out these beauties:
Orzo Recipes
- Garlic Butter Prawn Orzo
- Baked Feta Orzo
- Garlic & Parmesan Sausage Orzo
- Tomato, Spinach & Bacon Orzo
- Lemon Chicken Orzo
Gorgeous recipe however Nduja was too spicy for our tastes so substituted it with chorizo. Nice easy comforting recipe that’s now a regular meal in our house.
So pleased it went down well with the adjusted, Alison! Thanks for the review 🙂 C.
Never had Nduja before but everyone loved this so much.
Great to hear! C.
These recipes look delicious I want to try every one of them.
Just wanted to say thank you
Thanks so much, Geraldine! 🙂